The sickened luna’s last chance

Ella

+15 BONUS

The sudden warmth of Alexander’s arms around me made me let out an involuntary squeak of surprise. I hadn’t expected him to hug me; he’d maintained his usual polite distance since last night.

Once we had returned from the banquet, I’d slipped away to check on Lilith–who was resting in her

room, sleeping when I arrived–and he had gone to his office to handle the onslaught of paperwork he’d

received after the coronation.

And now he was hugging me like his life depended on it.

But then I began to relax into him, and the fabric swatches slipped from my fingers.

Goddess, he smelled good. Too good–like coming home to a place that you should have left long ago. I

pressed my face against his chest and breathed him in like the fool I was, and for a moment, I could have

sworn I felt his arms tightening around me.

I wanted to ask what we were now. Because the way he was hugging me seemed far more intimate than I

expected.

But for now, I kept it to myself. Alexander still didn’t fully trust me, and part of me was afraid to burst this brief little bubble of happiness.

When we finally pulled apart, my heart was pounding in my chest. I hated the way my cheeks were a

fiery red now. Hated the way his green eyes looking down at me made me want to crumple right then and

there.

“What was that about?” I asked, stooping to pick up the forgotten color swatches.

Alexander shook his head. “Nothing. It was nothing.”

It didn’t seem like nothing; I’d seen Gabriel storming out of the house just minutes prior, followed by the rev of his car engine as he sped away. It must have been another argument, and after what happened last

I had a feeling it had

all I knew, Gabriel was hell bent on finding out

the fact that Alexander had told

was going through Alexander’s head

I didn’t want to press if Alexander wasn’t willing to talk about it right

a moment, then pointed to the

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it is,” I said,

made

days passed in a blur. To my surprise, Alexander threw himself into getting ready for the baby with enthusiasm. Every minute he had to spare between Alpha King duties, he was the perfect expecting father. Always there when I needed him. Always

Alexander’s parents and used me as a

himself, too, even though the house staff would have gladly taken the job considering how busy

it. And

read off the instructions to him while he did everything else. I had tried

Even if he was just happily preparing for our baby’s arrival and it had nothing to do with our future–or lack thereof–as a couple, seeing his constant smile and

be a good father was something that I didn’t

that… what the fuck is this thing?” Alexander held up a curved piece of wood with a

brow.

a ‘stabilizing dowel,” I read from the

can’t they just call it a

would they charge us three hundred dollars for a

snorted. “Fair point. Anyway, hand

for the crib.

I muttered, scratching my head. “I think

his hand over

I stood. “We’ll have to get a

can run to the

sweet, but I shook my head. “I could use some fresh air anyway. I’ve been cooped up in

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house for days.”

took longer than expected. They didn’t have the exact part I needed, so I had to

to the mansion, I was tired and my feet were aching, but I felt accomplished. I had even made a secret pit stop to pick up some croissants from the bakery–a recent pregnancy craving that